Winter Weekend

Saturday morning I invited Jim to try ski-jouring with Phoenix.  I knew he would enjoy less work, and I would enjoy more.  When Phoenix pulls me, it is hard to get my heart rate up, but when he does not, it is pretty easy.  X-C skiing is so aerobic; I love it.

I had hope little tugboat would light Jim up - but, he did not.  Even though Jim was dusting me while attached to Phoenix, he did not walk away from the experience rejuvinated or elated.  He liked it, but he did not love it.  Bummer, but okay.  Every time I ask him to join me in any of the activities I do, I know if he declines, I will happily go alone.  Now that I have made that realization (and that happened a long time ago), it causes less disappointment and confusion.  I am going regardless.  I love to be out there with him and the dogs though, so it was awesome that he joined me. 

Later that evening I did one of the things I do best on a cold, winter night.

Sunday morning, waiting for the first of three walks for the day.  

Today, Jim did not join me, and it is just as well, as I don't think he would have wanted to go as far as I did.  I have been scouring my gazetteer in this one section of woods - woods where Temple, Weld and Avon kind of all meet.  I always want to be skiing away from roads, camps and people and skiing toward the heart of the woods.  Where I live, the best bet for wilderness is the land that abuts and encompasses Mt. Blue SP.  But I don't always want to drive the 45+ minutes it takes to get to my best spot.  So today, I ventured off the known and into the unknown.  It was awesome.  I skied for a couple of hours.  The sky was so blue and the mountaintops so white.  Although most would consider today a cold day, I was warm and happy.  Happy to have found what I was looking for - deep woods, free dogs, quick heartbeat and time to smile and think and amp for another week. 

I love that this is my reality.  I don't drive to this place as a visitor, a tourist, someone who is here on counted minutes.  Nope, I come here from only 20 minutes away.  These woods, this life is my daily reality and not a day passes that I don't remind myself of that.  I am lucky to live the life I live.  This little slice of reality has a kick butt view of Saddleback.  Yeah, so a view of Saddleback?  Not my reality.  That's a bummer, but I think I'll make it : )

 

Dixie on the "new to me" trail - with Mt. Abraham of West Kingifeld/Madrid behind her.

I look forward to checking out the other direction next time.